Gauchos Edge Beach in Close Contest
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 74, Long Beach State Beach 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Long Beach State Beach?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos beat Long Beach State Beach 74-71 at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Long Beach State Beach?
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested game, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos narrowly defeated the Long Beach State Beach with a final score of 74-71. This matchup was significant as it showcased two teams with contrasting recent performances, with UCSB riding a three-game winning streak into the contest. The game took place at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on January 25, 2026.
Long Beach State entered the game with a record of 8-13, while the Gauchos boasted a better standing at 13-7. In their last ten games, Long Beach State had a record of 6-4, but they were coming off a loss against the Cal State Fullerton Titans, which snapped a brief winning streak. The Beach had averaged 79.2 points scored while allowing 76.3 points during this stretch. Their recent form included notable victories over teams like the UC Riverside Highlanders and the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners, but they struggled in their away games, holding a 1-4 record in that context.
On the other hand, UC Santa Barbara's recent performance was marked by a 5-5 record over their last ten games, but they had gained momentum with three consecutive wins leading into this matchup. The Gauchos averaged 79.9 points scored and allowed 74.0 points in their recent stretch. Their last game resulted in a dominant 107-67 victory against the Cal Poly Mustangs, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
Historically, this fixture has favored UCSB, who had won all three previous meetings against Long Beach State in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The most recent encounter on December 5, 2025, ended in an 84-77 victory for the Gauchos. This history added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as Long Beach State sought to break their losing streak against UCSB.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details about player availability, but both teams were expected to field their key players. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had UCSB favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 144.5. The odds indicated a strong belief in UCSB's ability to secure the win, reflecting their recent form and historical success against Long Beach State.
The game conditions were typical for a college basketball matchup, with both teams looking to establish their rhythm early. As the game progressed, it became clear that every possession mattered, and the scoring plays reflected the tight nature of the contest. Key moments included a 27-foot three-point jumper by Shaquil Bender that tied the game at 67, followed by a series of critical layups by CJ Shaw that pushed the Gauchos ahead.
As the final minutes approached, the tension escalated. Long Beach State fought hard to close the gap, with Isaiah Lewis making a crucial jump shot that brought them within one point at 72-71. However, the Gauchos responded effectively, and Aidan Mahaney's driving layup sealed the victory for UCSB.
Overall, this game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Gauchos ultimately prevailing in a hard-fought battle. The final score of 74-71 not only reflected the closely matched nature of the teams but also highlighted the Gauchos' ability to perform under pressure.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSB -4.5 | 144.5 o -105 / u -115 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -198 · Long Beach State Beach +164 |
Leaders
- PointsPetar Majstorovic21Long Beach State Beach
- AssistsGavin Sykes5Long Beach State Beach
- ReboundsLeopold Levillain7Long Beach State Beach
- PointsAidan Mahaney21UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- AssistsMiro Little6UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
- ReboundsMiro Little8UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Recent form
Long Beach State Beach
Last 10: 6-4Streak L179.2 scored · 76.3 allowed per game5-0 at home
- L61-71at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 23
- W87-80at Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 18
- W88-73vs UC Riverside HighlandersJan 16
- W81-75vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 11
- L64-74at UC Irvine AnteatersJan 9
- W74-66vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 4
- W113-66vs Lincoln (CA) OaklandersDec 31
- L60-91at Iowa State CyclonesDec 21
- W81-78vs Pepperdine WavesDec 19
- L83-89at San José State SpartansDec 10
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Last 10: 5-5Streak W379.9 scored · 74 allowed per game1-4 away
- W107-67vs Cal Poly MustangsJan 23
- W77-62vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsJan 18
- W75-69at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersJan 16
- L86-93vs UC Davis AggiesJan 9
- L65-74at Cal State Northridge MatadorsJan 3
- L84-95at Cal State Fullerton TitansJan 2
- W79-61vs Portland PilotsDec 22
- L64-67at Green Bay PhoenixDec 18
- L53-68at Utah Valley WolverinesDec 13
- W109-84vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | Long Beach State Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-56 | 25-51 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 9-19 | 7-19 |
| Three-point % | 47 | 37 |
| Free throws | 11-16 | 14-16 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 88 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 25 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 21 |
| Assists | 18 | 18 |
| Steals | 3 | 5 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 2 |
| Fast-break points | 1 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 26 |
| Fouls | 16 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 17 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 96 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half44-31Leopold Levillain makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-31Colin Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-31Hosana Kitenge makes driving layup (Zion Sensley assists)
- 2nd Half47-33Petar Majstorovic makes driving layup (Leopold Levillain assists)
- 2nd Half47-34Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half49-34Colin Smith makes driving layup (Miro Little assists)
- 2nd Half51-34Hosana Kitenge makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-36Petar Majstorovic makes layup (Gavin Sykes assists)
- 2nd Half51-37Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-39Petar Majstorovic makes 15-foot jumper (Shay Johnson Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half51-41Petar Majstorovic makes 16-foot jumper (Isaiah Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half54-41Marvin McGhee IV makes 25-foot three point jumper (CJ Shaw assists)
- 2nd Half54-44Shaquil Bender makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half54-46Isaiah Lewis makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-49Petar Majstorovic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Gavin Sykes assists)
- 2nd Half55-49Colin Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-49Colin Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-51Isaiah Lewis makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half59-51CJ Shaw makes 25-foot three point jumper (Miro Little assists)
- 2nd Half59-52Leopold Levillain makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-53Leopold Levillain makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-53Koat Keat Tong makes layup (Aidan Mahaney assists)
- 2nd Half63-53Aidan Mahaney makes driving layup
- 2nd Half63-54Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-55Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-55Miro Little makes 18-foot jumper (Hosana Kitenge assists)
- 2nd Half65-58Shaquil Bender makes 26-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Lewis assists)
- 2nd Half65-60Shaquil Bender makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-62Leopold Levillain makes driving layup (Petar Majstorovic assists)
- 2nd Half66-62Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-62Aidan Mahaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-64Petar Majstorovic makes 2-foot dunk (Gavin Sykes assists)
- 2nd Half67-67Shaquil Bender makes 27-foot three point jumper (Leopold Levillain assists)
- 2nd Half69-67CJ Shaw makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-67CJ Shaw makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-68Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-69Hosana Kitenge makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-71Isaiah Lewis makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half74-71Aidan Mahaney makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Long Beach State Beach, below favours UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.
Venue
- LBS Financial Credit Union PyramidLong Beach, CA
- Attendance2351
- OfficialsJeff Campbell, Wilson Holland, Bill Vinovich
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